Sayap-sayap is a checkpoint that every Mount Kinabalu climber have to register themselve before they can continue climb up to the mount Kinabalu peak. The following photos shown how you need to “CLIMB” before you reach Sayap-Sayap Checkpoint.
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Legend of Mount Kinabalu
Last week on the 7-8th February 2009, I was at Kota Kinabalu for holiday together with my church cell group members. They are Stephen, Daniel and Lim. We are going to meet our super guide Abi (My youngest brother) to finish our incomplete journey to the Mount. Kinabalu Summit Trail. This is our 2nd attempt to the peak since last year. Due to some circumstances, we let the journey to the peak to be continue … at Laban Rata.
We took off from Abi house (Likas) by 5 a.m. and reached Mesilau Nature Resort by 8 a.m. We decided to trail Mesilau over Timpohon (same like last trip) simply because Mersilau offers a far more magnificient view around the mountain although Mersilau is 2 hours longer to hike and a more difficult hike. We started our hike by 8.30am and we reach Laban Rata Hut by 4pm, half way to the summit at 3272.7m above sea level at around 8-10 degree Celsius. Dinner was a full buffet of good food and free flowing hot drinks from 5.30p.m. onwards.
After dinner, we returned to our hostel at XXX and quickly went to the bed and prepared ourselves for the second part of the journey to the peak. We have to wake up early by 1am to start our peak “move” by 2am. Outside temperature was at 6-7 degree Celcius with strong wind. Situation got tougher where the surrounding were all rocky and the oxygen was getting thinner and thinner. We were out of breath, dizzy, dry and sleepy … Every few step have to breathe harder in order not to blackout. Taking regular breaks in the dark with a bitter wind blowing. The thoughts of giving up started to enter my head. I keep praying and motivate each others to keep moving.
We arrived at somewhere near the peak around 5am. Since it is too early and limited space at the peak, We decide to stop at 10 meters before the peak and manage to spot some big rock and hide ourself behind the rocks from the strong and chilling winds while waiting for the sunrise. By that time our entire face and hand is numb all the way and we keep rubbing our face with hand and keep ourselve warm.
We climb to the peak around 5.30 – 6am after we notice some of the hiker started to descend from the peak.
We back to Laban Rata by 10am. After having the wonderful breakfast, at around 12pm started to descend to Timpohon gate, arriving at 4pm. The descend was a killer. Our knee and legs muscles were not happy with the whole Timpohon journey. Thanks God for the save journey.
Kinabalu’s name is a mystery. The most popular view derives it from the Kadazan words, Aki Nabalu, meaning ‘the revered place of the dead’. The local Kadazan people believe that spirits dwell on the mountain top. According to another folklore, the name Kinabalu actually means Cina Balu which translates into ‘Chinese widow’. Legend goes that a Chinese prince ascended the mountain in search of a huge pearl guarded by a ferocious dragon. After his successful conquest, he married a Kadazan woman. But he soon abandoned her and returned to China. Heartbroken, his wife wandered to the mountains to mourn. There, she turned into stone.
History of Mount Kinabalu
In 1851, Sir Hugh Low, then the Colonial Secretary for the British crown colony of Labuan, credited as the first person to climb the mountain, took nine days to reach the summit plateau, traveling in a group of 42 people. Low and John Whitehead, a zoologist started their historic ascents from the village of Kiau, situated on the southern flank of the mountain near the Kadamaian Waterfall and recruited their guides and porters here. This route was both steep and arduous, and when the park was gazetted in 1964 and the Kinabalu Park HQ was established, the ascent route was changed to the present one. People from the nearer village of Bundu Tuhan supplied most of the guides and porters, and Bundu Tuhan’s most famous son, Gunting bin Lagadan, reputed to possess remarkable powers, become the first officially registered park guide. Though Low reached the summit plateau, he did not reach the peak that now bears his name. John Whitehead is the first person who reached the summit in 1888. Thus it was that in 1964 the Kinabalu Park was gazetted and when the park first opened it was a far cry from the world class facility it is today.
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“He was an heroic figure who not only ‘knocked off’ Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity” – New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark
Sir Edmund Hillary was born in 1919 and grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. He is New Zealand mountaineer. He began climbing in New Zealand’s Southern Alps while in high school. After military service in World War II, he resumed climbing and became determined to scale Everest.
Between 1920 and 1952, seven major expeditions had failed to reach the summit Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest, 29,028 feet above sea level, the highest spot on earth.
Hilary continued his life as an adventurer with many famous expeditions around the world -from the Antarctic to the Ganges. But increasingly he focused his life on the needs of the Sherpas. Hillary’s life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, and excitement. Yet he was humble to the point that he did not admit to being the first man atop Everest until long after the 1986 death of his climbing companion Tenzing Norgay.
Unfortunately, Sir Edmund’s life was darkened by the loss of his wife and daughter in a plane crash in 1975. He continued to occupy himself with environmental causes and humanitarian work on the behalf of the Nepalese people for the rest of his life.
He died at home in New Zealand at the age of 88 on 11 January 2008, Hillary died of heart failure at the Auckland City Hospital, mourned by his countrymen and by legions of admirers around the world.
To me … he is always my hero.
Can’t wait to face the challenge on 12 April …
Padas River is situated in the interior of southwestern part of Kota Kinabalu that is only accessible by train (used since the late 19th century in Borneo). Basically, this trip will give you two experiences advantages – 1) Excursion of Class III-IV river, 2) A uniquely ride in an antique train.
At 8.00am morning pick up from Kota Kinabalu city hotel and drive to Beaufort town (drive will take about 1-1½ hours) to board a train or railcar to Pangi Dam – the starting point. Light refreshment will be served at Pangi Station. A short safety briefing and rafting techniques will be given. Commence rafting down Padas River. Along the 200 km river just enjoy the exhilarating ride down through 7 various rapids which carries amusing names such as Merry-Go-Round Rapid, Break Point Rapid, Scooby Doo Rapid, Cobra Rapid, Curve Rapid, Lambada Rapid and Head Hunter Rapid. Each rapid will give you the feel of the motion as what the name means.
After rafting, we will arrive at Rayoh Station (ending point). Lunch will be served at the Padas Lodge. Depart for Beaufort by rail train, transfer to Kota Kinabalu by road along with certification of achievement.
Will share more photos of this place once come back from Sabah …
